Mann Appointed to the Board

BOSTON - Michele M. Mann of Beverly has been appointed by Governor Mitt Romney to a four-year term on the nine-member Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

"From its earliest settlement, Massachusetts has lead the nation in support of free public libraries and free public education. This support has resulted in a highly educated citizenry, a thriving economy and a high quality of life for our citizens," said Mann. "The Commonwealth's libraries are central to this process. Our libraries promote literacy; instill a loving of reading in our children, help our citizens with their myriad information needs, enrich the cultural life of the Commonwealth, and provide centers for life long learning. Libraries also provide access to modern technology, making the Internet and other electronic resources available to all citizens. By providing space for individual learning and for educational, cultural and recreational programs, our libraries have become an oasis where citizens can meet and learn. In doing so, they support families and our sense of community. As one library trustee has said, our public libraries 'are our common social home.'"

Mann is no stranger to the needs of libraries, where she was most recently the co-director of the $4 million Capital Campaign for the Beverly Farms Branch Library that recently reopened following an extensive expansion project. She is also the current director of a $5 million Capital Campaign for St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms.

Commissioner Mann previously was the Major Gifts Officer for the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and a technical writer and trainer/course developer for the Oracle Corporation in Waltham where she designed and wrote computer manuals, books and materials for numerous Oracle products. She also served as director of the Thom Montessori School in Boston.

Among her other volunteer jobs, she has served as the founder and co-director of the Beverly High School Technology Fund; served on the board of the Beverly League of Women Voters and the Manchester-by-the-Sea Parent Teacher Committee.

She has a B.S. degree from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, and done further study with John Brown Limited and Control Data Institute.

The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.

This Web site, and other programs of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, is funded in part with funds from theInstitute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning.